King Harald V of Norway ascended the throne on 17 January 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. Norway does not hold a traditional coronation with crowning; instead, the monarch is consecrated (blessed) in a religious ceremony. King Harald V and Queen Sonja’s consecration took place at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim on 23 June 1991.
Background and Accession
- Succession: King Harald V became king immediately upon the death of King Olav V on 17 January 1991.
- Oath: Four days later, Harald swore an oath to uphold the Norwegian Constitution in the Storting (parliament), a ceremony also attended by Queen Sonja-the first time in 69 years a Norwegian queen was present in the main chamber.
- Motto: Harald adopted the royal motto “We give our all for Norway,” continuing his family’s tradition.
Consecration Ceremony at Nidaros Cathedral (23 June 1991)
Historical Context:
- Norwegian kings were traditionally crowned, but the constitutional requirement for coronation was repealed in 1908. Since then, monarchs have chosen to be consecrated (blessed) instead.
- King Olav V reintroduced the consecration ceremony in 1958, and Harald V and Sonja wished to continue this tradition.
Key Elements of the Ceremony:
- Location: Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway’s historic site for royal ceremonies.
- Royal Regalia: The King’s Crown and Queen’s Crown were displayed on either side of the high altar but not worn.
- Procession: King Harald and Queen Sonja entered the cathedral, greeted by Bishop Finn Wagle of Nidaros and Bishop Andreas Aarflot of Oslo. Bishop Wagle welcomed them with, “May the Lord bless your going in and your coming out now and for evermore”.
- Thrones: They took their seats on the 1818 coronation thrones.
- Scripture and Addresses: The ceremony included scripture readings and addresses by the bishops.
- Consecration Prayers:
- King Harald knelt before the high altar. Bishop Wagle placed his hand on the King’s head and recited the consecration prayer: “Bless King Harald V, strengthen him and lead him in the exercise of his solemn responsibilities.”
- Queen Sonja then knelt, and Bishop Wagle prayed for her to “use her abilities for the benefit of the country and the people”
- Final Blessing: Bishop Wagle gave a blessing to both monarchs, invoking the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
- Royal Anthem: The ceremony concluded with the singing of the royal anthem, “Kongesangen”.
After the Consecration
- Consecration Tour: Following the ceremony, King Harald and Queen Sonja undertook a 10-day tour of Southern Norway, and the next year the royal family toured the four northernmost counties, reviving the medieval tradition of royal homage tours.
Summary Table: Key Moments
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 17 Jan 1991 | King Harald V succeeds to the throne |
| 21 Jan 1991 | Oath in the Storting (parliament) |
| 23 Jun 1991 | Consecration at Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim |
| Summer 1991 | 10-day tour of Southern Norway |
| 1992 | 22-day tour of Northern Norway |
In summary:
King Harald V’s “coronation” was a solemn Lutheran consecration ceremony at Nidaros Cathedral, marked by prayers and blessings rather than crowning. The event emphasized tradition, continuity, and the monarch’s spiritual and constitutional responsibilities to Norway and its people.